Vacuum Chamber Single-Roller Rotation for Container Dehydration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum microwave dehydration apparatuses for organic materials are mechanically complex, requiring precise synchronization and alignment of double rollers, which can be difficult to maintain due to container expansion and distortion at high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum microwave dehydration apparatus using a single roller with spur gear teeth that meshes with the container's teeth to rotate and transport it, supported by guide members and moved through the chamber by pushing and pulling cylinders, simplifying the mechanism and maintaining alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pair of rotatable rollers with chain drive is used to transport and rotate the container, then the container can be transported through the vacuum chamber, but the mechanical structure becomes highly complex and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex chain drive mechanism and synchronization system from the prior art double-roller design. By using a single roller that directly contacts the container's gear teeth, the invention removes the transmission mechanism and alignment requirements, significantly simplifying the mechanical structure while maintaining the essential function of container transport and rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex transmission system to drive the container rotation, the invention inverts the approach by having the container's own gear teeth engage directly with the single roller's gear teeth. This reversal of the drive mechanism eliminates the need for intermediate transmission components and simplifies the overall system.
2Reliability
If double rollers are used to support and rotate the container, then the container can be properly transported, but precise alignment and synchronization of the rollers must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes one of the two rollers and eliminates the synchronization mechanism, leaving a single roller that supports and rotates the container. This extraction of components eliminates the alignment and synchronization precision requirements while maintaining reliable container transport through the direct gear engagement between the single roller and container.
3Productivity
If the container rotates at high temperature, then dehydration is effective, but the container expands and distorts over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a gear mechanism where the roller's rotation automatically drives the container's rotation through engagement of gear teeth. This dynamic mechanical coupling ensures that the container rotates consistently even as it expands and distorts at high temperatures, maintaining effective dehydration while accommodating the container's dimensional changes without requiring precise static alignment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus achieves a more robust and efficient dehydration process by reducing mechanical complexity and ensuring proper engagement and alignment of the container, allowing continuous throughput with reduced pressure and microwave radiation.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus also includes a microwave generator arranged for transmission of microwave radiation from the generator into the vacuum chamber.
Implementation Method 2
vacuum microwave dehydration apparatus using a single roller with spur gear teeth that meshes with the container's teeth to rotate and transport it, supported by guide members and moved through the chamber by pushing and pulling cylinders, simplifying the mechanism and maintaining alignment.
Implementation Method 3
The apparatus includes means for reducing the pressure in the vacuum chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for providing a simpler and more robust mechanism for transporting materials to be dried through a vacuum microwave chamber in rotating containers. The apparatus (20) has a vacuum chamber (22), an input end (26) to introduce a container (24) into the chamber, and a discharge end (28) to remove the container. The container has spur gear teeth (60) extending along its outer circumferential surface. The apparatus has a single roller (42) having spur gear teeth (46) extending along its outer circumferential surface. The spur gear teeth of the roller mesh with the spur gear teeth of the container such that rotation of the roller about its longitudinal axis rotates the container. The apparatus also includes means for holding the container on the roller, means for moving the container through the chamber, a microwave generator 76 arranged for transmission of microwave radiation from the generator into the chamber, and means for reducing pressure inside the chamber.